West End stars Zoe Birkett and Rob Houchen are set to headline the October 2026 edition of 'An Evening of Music from the West End' at Dumfries House near Cumnock.
Taking place across two nights on Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24, the musical extravaganza will offer guests an extraordinary evening of West End hits in the magnificent setting of the 300-year-old Palladian country house.
Leading stars and local choir
Zoe Birkett, who played the music icon Tina Turner in the West End, and Rob Houchen, best-known for playing Marius in Les Misérables, will feature as the leading stars for the two-night event. They will be joined by local choir Musichoir, which has become a staple of live entertainment events on the estate, the headquarters of charity The King's Foundation.
Mother and daughter Celeste and Claire Teenan, from Heads of Ayr, have been members of Musichoir for nine and three years respectively.
Celeste said: "All of the choir would say that the lead-up to Dumfries House is the most exciting time for us and we're all really keen to get it spot-on."
"Claire and I love performing together and it's such a nice thing for us to do together. We stand right beside each other, both sopranos, and we soak it all in. We have visited the estate as a family for years, taking our dog Jasper, a cockapoo, for walks, and it is such a special place."
Choir members share their excitement
Sandra Scott, who joined Musichoir in 2019 and has performed in each of the 'West End' events at Dumfries House, said: "The stars always embrace the fact we're there and part of the show. To sing these really iconic songs with people from the West End is such a thrill.
"The whole Musichoir experience has just been really special. I joined at the age of 55, when women can start to feel invisible, and we have done things I never would have thought of. To be singing at Dumfries House– somewhere my husband and I visit for a walk every week– with West End stars, people you have seen in the theatre and on the television, is mind-blowing."
Revenue generated from the event will be reinvested into The King's Foundation's life-changing charitable work, education programmes, and community initiatives across the Dumfries House estate.
Stars praise Scottish audiences
Rob Houchen said: "I am so excited to perform a brilliant show at Dumfries House. I have heard incredible things about this magical venue and can't wait to take to the stage with the talented choir and sing some of my favourite theatre hits.
"I have performed in Scotland previously in the production of South Pacific and many concerts. I love Scottish audiences– they are always vibrant theatre-lovers and aren't afraid to show it!"
Zoe Birkett added: "The audiences in Scotland are phenomenal and I'm so excited to come back to perform there."
Tickets for An Evening of Music from the West End can be booked online via the Dumfries House website. Tickets are priced £57.50 for the show, with tickets including a pre-concert three-course set menu dinner served in one of the principal dining rooms of Dumfries House available for £110.
